Automatic cut-out.



PATENTED JULY 28, 1907.

I}. EASTHAM.

AUTOMATIC GUT-OUT.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 2, 1906.

QUMMC J PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE EASTHAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC GUT-OUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23,1907.

Application filed Tune 2, 1906. Serial No. 319.928-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE EASTHAM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Cut-Outs, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automaticcut-outs and it particularly pertains to devices for establishing astorage battery circuit during the charging action of the dynamo and forbreaking said circuit when the operation of the dynamo ceases.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device'ofthe above type in which the circuit between the dynamo and storage cellsis maintained closed by the action of an element whose movement iscontrolled by the centrifugal force imparted thereto through suitablegearing from the power shaft of the dynamo, and in which said element ispositively moved to break the circuit when the dynamo ceases itsoperation.

The detailed construction will appear in the course of the followingdescription in which reference is had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification, like numerals designating likeparts throughout the several views, wherein,

- Figure 1 ,is a view illustrating my improved cut-out in perspectiveand showing diagrammatically the dynamo, storage cells signal lamp andconnection of the variousdevices in the dynamo circuit. Fig. 2 is aperspective view taken from the rear face of my improved cut-out. Fig. 3is an enlarged vertical transverse section' thereof, and Fig. 4 is apartial perspective illus trating in detail the construction of theslid-able circuit. closing element.

In the praegieal embodiment-of my invention the letter A designates adynamo which is connected by a wire B with storage cells C arranged inseries andconnectcd with the dynamo by a return wire D in which isinterposed a signal lamp E and any improved cut-out F. My inventionembodies a stationary annular base plate 1 of insulating material, andwith reference to which the constituent elements are mounted and havemovement. The plate 1 is formed with a central annular recess 2, aboutthe wall of which is disposed an annulus 3, of brass or other metal. Astub shaft 4 is journaled centrally of the base 1 and is provided withinsaid recess with an enlarged head 5 formed with a longitudinal borewithin which a pin 6 is slidably mou'nted. The pin 6 is illustrated indetail in Fig. 4 and is of rectangular proportions. Said pin is formedat one end with a head 7 and at its other end with an enlarged block 8formed with a central longitudinal groove or recess 9 within which issuitably held a projecting brush 10, designed to bear against theannulus 3 in contactingrelation. For the purpose of normally maintainingsaid brush out of contact with the annulus an expansive coil spring 11is employed which surrounds the pin 6 and is interposed between'the head5 of the shaft 4 and the head 7 of the pin 6. A post 12 projectsradially through the plate 1 and contacts with the ring 3. Said post isformed exteriorly of said plate with a block 13 carrying an integralthreaded stem 14 upon which is mounted a nut 15 designed to engage aconnection 16 surrounding the post and hold said connection against saidblock, A block 17 is similarly mounted upon the opposite side of theplate 1 and to this end is provided with a depending stud 18 projectinginto said plate fora short distance and with a thread ed stem 19 uponwhich a nut 20 for holding a wire connection 21, is mounted The nut 17is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 22 terminating in anintegral collar 23 extending on each side of said arm, one portion ofsaid collar :24 being mounted in an annular opening therefor in theplate 1 and serving as a. bushing in which the shaft 4 is journaled. Theshaft t carries a pulley 25 which is held rigid thereon by virtue of aset screw 26 in the well known manner. The pulley 25 is driven by a belt27 froin a pulley 28 mounted upon the shaft 29 of the dynamo A. The arm22 is held against the plate 1 by a screw 30 threaded into said plate.

In practical use the dynamo A is driven from a suitable engine or motorand the movement thereof is communicated to the revolving shaft 4. Whenthe dynamo has reached a selected speed the pin 6 is thrown outwardly bycentrifugal force and closes the circuit, through the brush 10 and thering 3. At this stage the batteries are being charged through thedynamo. When the engine is stopped and the movement of the dynamoceases, the spring 11 forces the pin 6 inwardly and breaks the circuitso that waste of current through the dynamo is eliminated. The lamp Eindicates whether the circuit is open or closed in the well knownmanner.

While the elements herein shown and described are well adapted to servethe functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes may be madein the proportions, shape and arrangement of the several parts withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the.appended claims.

Having fully described my invention 1 claim:

1. A device of the type set forth comprising an insuiating base, havinga recessed face, a contuct ring within said recessed face, a bearing insaid base centrally of said ringv a shaft projecting through saidhearing, a contact pin slidubly mounted in the end of said shaft. andbeing designed to engage said ring by centrifugal force upon therotation of said shaft and means for holding said pin normally out ofengagement with said ring.

2. A device of. the type set forth comprising an insulating base, acontact ring carried thereby, a shaft projected through said basecentrally of said ring, a contact pin slidably disposed in the end ofsaid shaft, and being designed to engage said ring by'centrifugal forceupon the rotation of'said shaft, and means for holding said pin normallyaway from said shaft.

3. A device of the type set forth comprising an insulating base, acontact ring carried thereby, a shaft projected through said basecentrally of said ring, said shaft having 10 at its end an openingperpendicular to its major axis, a

pin having a contact head slidable in said opening and being designed toengage said ring by centrifugal force upon the rotation of said shaft,and means for holding said pin normally away from said ring.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of 15 twowitnesses.

GEORGE EASTHAM.

Witnesses SAMUEL KEITH, Gno. E. lWIlLLER.

